UCO gets OK for Edmond’s first LGBTQ Pride festival
EDMOND — The city’s first LGBTQ Edmond Pride event will be Oct. 20 in Hafer Park and include a day full of activities.
On Wednesday, the Edmond Special Events Committee approved the Edmond Pride event.
The Student Alliance for Equality from the University of Central Oklahoma will host the all-day event that will include entertainment and vendors from across the state.
“The proposal seems like it would be a good event,” said John Stephens, director of admissions at the University of Central Oklahoma, who is leading the event with several UCO students.
About 500 people are expected at the event, which will begin at 10 a.m., according to submitted documents. All of Hafer Park will be used for the occasion and will be closed to traffic.
“We don’t do it all of the time, but it has to be a larger event,” said Sarah London, special events coordinator.
Several local children’s groups will be performing, and 40 vendors already have been secured. Activities will include face painting, performances and familyfriendly crafts.
“It will mimic the Edmond pop-up shop event,” Stephens said.
The Student Alliance for Equality will hold its annual candlelight vigil for National Coming Out Day that evening.
Whether candles or glow sticks will be used has not been determined, but either could be used.
Event organizers said the vigil will bridge gaps between the University of Central Oklahoma and Edmond communities.
“We want to incorporate more of the city of Edmond, as opposed to just those on campus,” Stephens said.
Safety is a concern for event organizers, and the group plans on having multiple police officers around. For every 150 people, one police officer is required by university’s policy for the event, Stephens said.
No parade is planned at this time during the event, but Stephens said it could be a possibility in future years.